With a world so reliant on the internet, people tend to feel restless or incomplete in its absence. Thanks to the internet, much of our lives revolve around the online world.
In this digital age, the internet has gone beyond entertainment and now plays a vital role in our work, studies, and our personal lives. However, not every place has a good, stable internet connection, and not everyone has access to data. That’s why everyone should carry at least a few apps for kids that work offline. Thankfully, the technology of the constantly evolving app has paved the way for offline usage of apps. These offline apps for kids will keep your little ones engaged during long travel times and they’ll even learn a few things, too.
We have reviewed the best offline games and apps for kids that can be downloaded when the WiFi and data just aren't cooperating.
TOCA Life Vacation joins the hugely popular open-ended play experience of other TOCA apps. This time, kids explore going on vacation, making it a great app to get your kids ready for their first big trip. Toca Life - Vacation does not require Wi-Fi to play which makes it a great choice for families traveling by air or engaged in world schooling, and it ranks among the top offline games for children.
Features
- Digital playset for imaginative vacation scenarios.
- Interactive locations: airport, hotel, beach, and more.
- Video-recording feature for documenting stories.
- No rules or time limits for open-ended play.
Pros
- Enhances creativity and role-playing skills.
- Encourages narrative building with the recording function.
- Provides a safe, fun, and engaging play environment.
- Facilitates sharing and interaction with friends.
- Educational yet subtly engaging for children.
Cons
- Limited interaction with objects in the game.
- Some elements may be challenging for kids with less fine motor control.
- Guided play limited by app programming.
- Requires permissions for microphone and camera roll access.
- Potential frustration with manipulating tiny pieces.
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Devices: Android, iPhone and iPad
If we missed any of the Best Offline Apps for Kids | Games, tell us about them!
Smart Tales is a rich library of interactive games, stories and animations that teaches STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to children aged 3 and up. Smart Tales offers children the opportunity to grow their problem solving skills, critical thinking and understanding of science, all in a fun and interactive way.
Features
- Focus on STEM topics, early reading skills, and social-emotional learning.
- Beautiful graphics, animations, and narrated content.
- Personalized study programs and accessibility features.
- Parental and teacher support tools, including usage tracking.
- Seasonal content and over 300 printable PDF worksheets.
Pros
- Engaging and educational content for ages 2-6.
- Supports independent and shared learning experiences.
- Regularly updated with new, diverse content.
- Easy to use with icon-based navigation and narration.
- Inclusion of dyslexia-friendly font and color blindness filters.
Cons
- Rhyming in stories can lead to awkward sentence structures.
- Some rhymes may be misleading for early readers.
- Lacks interaction-based tracking for usage time.
- Requires email registration for multi-device use.
- Free trial period might be limited for extensive exploration.
Price: 30-day free trial to try the premium features
Devices: Android, iPhone and iPad
PlayKids app is a platform with over 300 videos, books, games, nursery rhymes and cartoons for kids, that provides safe entertainment and play value worthy of applause. Kids can watch videos offline. The content will develop intellectual, physical and social-emotional development of kids. The educational activities help children new languages. To keep children entertained during extended car or plane journeys without relying on Wi-Fi, parents can preload a device with multiple videos, making it one of the most desirable offline games for kids.
Features
- Subscription-based service with educational TV shows and activities.
- Content from creators like Super Simple Songs and Pocoyo.
- Parental controls for program access and time limits.
- Offline access to shows and games after downloading.
- Content available in multiple languages including Spanish and Portuguese.
Pros
- Ad-free environment with carefully selected content.
- Encourages learning through educational programming and positive messages.
- Games support early literacy and cognitive development.
- Download feature useful for travel and offline use.
- Effective parental controls for content and screen time management.
Cons
- Requires substantial device storage for downloads.
- Subscription model may be costly for some users.
- Some content might be controversial for preschoolers.
- Changes in app updates may not appeal to all users.
- App performance issues like slow loading and freezing.
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Devices: Android, iPhone and iPad
One of the best offline games for kids, TinyTap Learning Games app is an award winning educational app tool for creating interactive games, books and a vast library of precreated games and content. The app has a collection of interactive games and books created by teachers, parents, developers, and authors and can be searched by category, age and keywords.
Kids can play games offline. The games can be downloaded to play anywhere, anytime without Wi-Fi making it a great offline game for kids option.
Features
- Tool for creating and playing interactive games and books.
- Over 150,000 games by educators, covering various subjects.
- Searchable "Creativity Museum" of content by category and age.
- Personalized game recommendations for children.
- Content available for kids up to age 14, focused on pre-K to early elementary.
Pros
- Vast library of diverse educational content.
- Easy-to-use interface with no coding required for creation.
- Includes a variety of topics from language arts to personal skills.
- Facilitates creative and interactive learning experiences.
- Encourages kids to explore and learn independently.
Cons
- Limited content without a Pro subscription.
- Some user-generated content may have varying quality.
- Reports of technical issues like glitches and app not opening.
- Challenging subscription cancellation and billing practices.
- Concerns about educational value and user interface for children.
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Devices: Android, iPhone and iPad
Epic! is an eBook library that helps kids 12 years and below develop a love for reading by providing them unlimited access to thousands of children's books. Some people call it a Netflix for books. It includes both audiobooks and digital books. The app gives subscription users access to over 35,000 books and learning videos, with the ability to instantly read as many books as users want.
Books and videos can be viewed on a mobile device and are accessible anywhere. Both online and offline reading options are available which will be useful in the car, on a plane or camping for kids. Kids can read offline books without an internet connection from within the mobile app. You may download an unlimited number of books to read offline at any time making it a great offline game for kids (downloadable content may be limited by the storage space available on your device).
Features
- Over 40,000 books and videos in a searchable library.
- Personalized profiles for up to 4 children with progress tracking.
- Offline reading capability and multilingual options.
Pros
- Diverse range of books, including multilingual and audiobook options.
- Effective for developing communication skills and creativity.
- Regular updates with new titles and genres.
- Encourages reading through rewards and badges.
- Useful for educators with a free version available.
Cons
- Content may be restricted in some countries.
- Not available on Amazon devices.
- Navigation can be challenging.
- Issues with audiobook playback timing.
- Subscription required for full access.
Price: 30-day free trial followed by a subscription plan
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad and Smart TVs.
Khan Academy Kids is a free, fun, educational program with thousands of activities and books that will inspire a lifetime of learning and discovery for young children and one of the best offline games for kids. Head to the Home screen inside Khan Academy Kids and let the joyful learning begin!
There is a dedicated section called "Kodi's Suitcase" designed for offline use. This enables young learners to access Khan Academy Kids at their convenience, regardless of their internet connection status, anytime and anywhere.
Features
- Comprehensive learning for children ages 2 to 6+.
- Activities in math, English language arts, logic, and science.
- Content from National Geographic and Super Simple Songs.
Pros
- Wide range of educational content covering various subjects.
- Child-friendly interface with no external distractions.
- Structured learning path with a variety of activities.
- Extensive library including books, videos, and interactive content.
- Adapts to the child's learning pace and progress.
Cons
- Possible language and cultural variations in content.
- Some activities may require adult guidance for clarification.
- Lack of time limits and penalties could affect learning pace for some children.
- Limited language variations may not cater to all global users.
- Could be overwhelming due to the vast amount of content available.
They have a special section of the app's Library that is available offline called Kodi's Suitcase. Here, young learners can enjoy Khan Academy Kids anytime, anywhere, even without an internet connection making it one of the best free apps for kids.
Price: Free with no ads
Devices: Android, iPhone and iPad
Minecraft: Pocket Edition offers a huge open world for creation and survival. Kids can create new worlds and play in them offline. The creative or survival mode allows them to build and mine stuff, and do lots of other cool things. The mobile version is not as immersive as desktop one, but it's still enough to keep one glued even without internet connectivity making it one of the best offline educational apps.
Features
- Mobile version of the popular Minecraft game.
- Allows players to explore randomly generated worlds and build structures.
- Includes a variety of resources for crafting objects.
- Opportunities for collaborative learning and creativity.
- Available on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Amazon Fire tablets.
Pros
- Engages students in 21st-century skills like problem-solving and collaboration.
- Can be used to teach a variety of subjects, including math, history, and geography.
- Facilitates creative and immersive learning experiences.
- Children can learn about digital citizenship and community building.
- Special Education Edition available for more structured learning.
Cons
- More limited features compared to the PC or console versions.
- User interface on mobile devices can be challenging.
- Requires time investment to learn and effectively use in educational settings.
- Potential for misuse or distraction in a classroom setting.
- Teachers need to monitor and guide student interactions and creations.
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Devices: Android, iPhone and iPad
Sago Mini World Games is a great app for free playtime with a library of 30+ games, with more being added each month. Kids can play these games offline – while keeping the initial download size low. The cute, engaging, and sometimes silly games encourage open-ended play in an effort to simulate play in the real world. Games allow for creativity and exploration. All of the games can be downloaded, meaning you do not need WiFi access to play making it one of the best offline apps for kids.
Features
- Over 30 games with new additions each month.
- Encourages open-ended play and exploration.
- Available on iOS and Android devices with offline play capability.
- Games include various themes like apartments, puppy preschool, and road trips.
Pros
- Safe and ad-free environment suitable for kids.
- Promotes creativity and imagination in children.
- Can be used for educational activities like storytelling and sequencing.
- Wholesome content with cute characters and sound effects.
- Great for free play time and learning through fun.
Cons
- High subscription costs after the trial period.
- Does not focus on teaching specific skills.
- May not be suitable for more structured learning objectives.
- Interface and navigation may require adult guidance for younger children.
- Limited educational content compared to other learning apps.
Price: Subscription model with a 7-day free trial
Devices: Android, iPhone and iPad
Want to help your kids learn healthy habits, be kind individuals and follow daily routines? With PBS KIDS Games, your child can play along with their favorite TV show characters as they develop social-emotional skills and general education concepts.
With over 250 academic video games that includes beloved characters like Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts, Rosie’s Guidelines, and extra, children can discover their favourite subjects whereas studying core expertise.
Features
- Over 100 free learning games featuring popular PBS Kids characters.
- Games focus on various skills including math, creativity, science, reading, and problem-solving.
- Content suitable for children aged 2-8.
- Supports offline play and includes video content.
Pros
- Engaging and educational content with familiar PBS characters.
- Wide range of subjects and skills covered.
- Safe and child-friendly with no third-party advertising.
- Interactive games that can supplement classroom instruction.
- Available for free with new games added periodically.
Cons
- May not focus on specific educational objectives or structured learning.
- Interface and content may vary in educational depth and quality.
- Could potentially be more entertaining than educational for some users.
- Limited to younger children, with less relevance for older students.
- May require guidance from adults for optimal educational use.
The app is offered in each English and Spanish, and gamers can take the enjoyable offline with downloadable video games.
Price: Free
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad, Web browsers
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is having offline access to kids' apps beneficial for parents during travel?
Offline access in kids' apps is particularly useful for parents during travel as it ensures uninterrupted access to educational and entertainment content without the need for a stable internet connection. This is especially helpful during long car rides, flights, or in areas with poor connectivity, keeping children engaged and occupied.
How does offline functionality in kids' apps assist in managing screen time and internet usage for children?
Offline features in kids' apps allow parents to better manage their children's screen time and internet usage. Parents can download specific content or activities that they deem appropriate, controlling the duration and nature of the content their children are exposed to, without the distractions or risks associated with online browsing.
What are the benefits of offline features in kids' apps for parents living in areas with limited or expensive internet access?
For parents in regions with limited or costly internet access, offline features in kids' apps are highly beneficial. They enable children to access educational content and games without incurring data costs or suffering from connectivity issues. This makes learning and entertainment more accessible and consistent for children, regardless of their location or economic situation.
